Visit Malacca, the pretty old town in Malaysia

Malacca (Melaka) is a famous tourist destination with a rich cultural heritage, subsequent to the colonial rule of Portuguese, Dutch and British. It becomes one of the hottest tourist destinations in Malaysia because of its centuries-old architecture that gives you a glimpse of Malacca's glorious past.

Dutch Square

Dutch Square Malacca is the most picturesque along Jalan Kota. It's also a colorful trishaw pickup point, it is distinguished by a group of bright, terracotta-red colonial Dutch buildings, built between 1660 and 1700, with louvered windows and chunky doors with wrought iron hinges.

Jonker Street

This street is the center of Chinatown of Malacca. It began in Dutch Colonial times as the home to many of the servants of Dutch nobility. However, after the Dutch left, it became the home of the nobles themselves. Many seventeenth-century manors remain here, along with a large number of shops, restaurants and other amenities. When the large Chinese presence moved in, decorative accents like a large Chinese-style archway were added. The street is blocked off every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening to become a pedestrian-only night market.

Maritime Museum

With monthly visitors around 20,000 people, Maritime Museum is the most visited museum in Malacca. The museum main exhibits the replica of Flor de la Mar. The museum also houses exhibits, artifacts and documents from the golden era of Malacca and shows how political control of Malacca was essential to the establishment of maritime dominance in the region. It also displays the trading link of Malacca from the early time through the colonial era until independence.

St. Paul's Church

Originally built by a Portuguese captain in 1521 as a simple chapel, St. Paul’s Church offers views over Malacca from the summit of Bukit St Paul. St. Francis Xavier, one of the founders of the Jesuit order, used the church as his base for his missionary journeys to China and Japan. In one of those journeys, Xavier fell sick and eventually died in China in 1552. His body was temporarily interred here for nine months before being transferred to Goa, where it remains today. Visitors can look into his ancient tomb inside the church, and a marble statue of the saint gazing over the city.

Stadthuys

The Stadthuys (an old Dutch spelling, meaning city hall) is a historical structure situated in the heart of Malacca City, the administrative capital of the state of Malacca, Malaysia in a place known as the Red Square. The Stadhuys is known for its red exterior and nearby red clocktower. It was built by the Dutch in 1650 as the office of the Dutch Governor and Deputy Governor.

See more: Visit the best 7 old towns in Asia

Sultanate Palace

Malacca Sultanate Palace is a wooden replica of Sultan Mansur Shah’s 15th-century palace. Set at the base of St. Paul’s Hill it was painstakingly constructed in 1985 using traditional construction techniques and materials, based on accounts in the 16th century, Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals) text. According to the annals, Sultan Mansur Shah’s seven-tiered palace was built entirely without nails and supported with carved, wooden pillars and featured a copper and zinc roof. The most elaborate royal palace ever constructed in the world in 1459. According to the annals it was destroyed the year after the sultan ascended the throne when it was struck by lightning.

Source Internet

The best local markets in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Discover exotic fruits, fashion, souvenirs, artwork and various products by visiting a traditional local market. Conveniently located, Siem Reap has several to choose from.

Engage the locals, absorb the atmosphere and enjoy negotiating prices with sellers. Whilst there, experience a wide range of colours and flavours from the fruit and vegetable stalls, and taste some of the finest street food available.

Made in Cambodia Market

Made in Cambodia Market offers a wide range of live performances, tasty local food, and Cambodian souvenirs by renowned local artisans. Held every Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday, this vibrant outdoor market takes place in front of Shinta Mani Resort Siem Reap. Goods sold at Made in Cambodia Market are pricier compared to most markets in Siem Reap, but the uniqueness and quality of clothes, cosmetics, jewellery, paintings, and toys is well worth the splurge. Highly recommended is the Sombai rice spirits, which is infused with cinnamon, mangoes, star anise, and red chilies.

Noon Night Market

Not to be confused with Angkor Night Market, Noon Night Market is just down the road but is smaller. However, it still boasts more than 100 stalls selling everything from ornaments, silverware and carvings, to movies, clothes, food and even a tattoo parlour, Skin Art Shop. There are also various vendors serving up local dishes, and a bar that serves up alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Phsar Chas (The Old Market)

The Old Market, located between Pub Street and the riverside, is truly the heart of Siem Reap. As the most popular and central market, it is frequently visited by both tourists and locals. Many locals, expats and businesses buy their fruit and vegetables here. Average English is spoken here.

Angkor Handicraft Association

Angkor Handicraft Association is highly recommended for those looking to see local artisans working on their products. Visitors can learn about Khmer traditional crafting and even participate in interesting workshops. The fair-trade market houses 20 stalls selling authentic handwoven silk, silverware, stone and bronze statues, paintings, and bags.

Best of all, 100% of profits are given back to the artisans and their families as well as the local community. Located within Traing Village, Angkor Handicraft Association also hosts 12 types of activities that are suitable for all ages, such as coconut carving, palm leaf weaving, and flute making classes.

Phsar Leu (The Upper Market)

Phsar Leu (in full Phsar Leu Thom Thmey) is the biggest market in Siem Reap, and likely the most authentic. It is located on National Road 6, on the way to Phnom Penh, about 3km from the center. Usually crowded on the outside, it attracts mostly locals looking for the cheapest prices. Almost no English is spoken here.

Angkor Night Market

Angkor Night Market consists of over 200 bamboo huts selling a wide range of clothing and handicrafts by local communities and non-governmental organizations. Founded in 2007 to preserve traditional Khmer handicrafts and improve the lives of Khmer people, this outdoor market offers only one-of-a-kind goods such as silk paintings, shadow puppets, handbags made from recycled materials, as well as intricate stone carvings embellished in silver or brass. Set within a landscaped garden in downtown Siem Reap, Angkor Night Market is also ideal for enjoying local delicacies and cheap booze as well as live music performances until late.

Read more: 7 most stunning beaches in Cambodia

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What to do in Mandalay, Myanmar

A former capital of Myanmar/Burma, Mandalay is the nation’s second-largest city. Less hectic than Yangon and with a rare sense of peace, here are some of the best things to do in order to get a taste of magical Mandalay’s charm.

1. Marvel at the stunning Mahamuni Pagoda

Officially named Maha Myat Muni Paya, Mahamuni Pagoda is one of the most sacred sites in Mandalay. Many Buddhist pilgrims travel here from far and wide to pay their respects to, and seek blessings from, the Mahamuni—a large golden jewel-encrusted Buddha statue. Although men can approach the statue to pray and make offerings, women must remain some distance away. Flowers, incense, amulets, charms, and other spiritual items can be purchased onsite from several market vendors.

The larger complex has a number of attractive buildings, most of which are adorned with traditional motifs and eye-catching decorative details. Monks wearing burgundy-coloured robes stroll between the buildings, adding vibrant splashes of rich colour to the scene. There are many interesting statues too, including some that were taken from Cambodia.

2. Climb Mandalay Hill

Home to the former Royal Palace, there are many other attractions to enjoy around Mandalay Hill. An important spiritual site, monasteries, temples, statues, pagodas, and shrines are sprinkled up the hill. The climb isn’t so challenging, and there are so many interesting places to take a break on the way up. The four staircases are covered, providing welcome shade from the sun. On the top of the hill, you’ll find Sutaungpyei Pagoda, whose beautifully tiled pillars shimmer and shine in the sunlight. The elevated position also provides awesome views over the surroundings. Do note that if the thought of climbing leaves you feeling a bit unenthusiastic, it is possible to travel most of the way up the hill by road and then take an escalator to the peak. 

3. Discover the marble slabs in Kuthodaw Pagoda

Often said to home to the world’s biggest book, Kuthodaw Pagoda is located at the base of Mandalay Hill. It’s not an actual book, though—huge blocks of marble have been engraved with the entire text of the Tripitaka. If you’re wondering what the Tripitaka is, it’s the most important scriptures for Theravada Buddhists. It is also the oldest collection of Buddhist knowledge. Unless you can read Pali, however, you won’t be able to actually decipher the words. Regardless, it’s an interesting and attractive sight, with 700+ marble slabs located in numerous caves and alcoves. There are supposedly 729 slabs in total. I did try counting them, being the inquisitive soul that I am, but I quickly gave up. The main golden pagoda glistens in the sunlight, standing an impressive 57 metres tall. A large number of white pagodas stand elegantly around the complex too.

4. Walk through the Palace Museum

Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the small Palace Museum displays an assortment of historic, cultural, and religious items. Traditional clothing and uniforms hang in glass cases, and there are weapons and suits of armour from times long past. Take a visual journey through the country’s past as you look at the large collection of photographs, and see how important people furnished their homes in times gone by. There are statues of the Lord Buddha in various poses, alms bowls, amulets, royal regalia, and diverse artefacts among the collections as well. 

5. Admire talented locals in small workshops

As you walk around the city centre, you’ll likely spot craftspeople and artisans making an assortment of items in small open-fronted workshops. Workers and their tools sometimes spill out on the pavement, making them impossible to miss. Some workshops are tucked away down slender alleyways, with hammering, whirring, and the clacking of machinery the only clues from the main streets as to their existence. Women spin yarns, operate large weaving looms, and sew ornate small clothes to be worn by traditional wooden puppets, and men carefully chisel stone, cut wood, mould plaster, and spin pottery. 

6. Mandalay Marionette Theatre

Protecting and conserving the now-uncommon theatrical art of marionette puppetry, the large stringed wooden puppets perform enchanting dances and act out folkloric scenes and events from the nation’s past. Puppetry in Myanmar can trace its heritage back some ten centuries, although it is a dying form of entertainment today. The wooden puppets wear exquisite clothes and shows are accompanied by traditional music. If you become truly mesmerized by the figurines, several shops around the city sell puppets made from wood, plaster, and lightweight metal.

See more: Mandalay, a cultural and religious hub in Myanmar

Source: Internet